Schisandra Berry—Wu wei zi The fruit of the Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis) vine is one of my favorite adaptogenic herbs for the change of season from late summer into autumn. This transitional time can be hard on the lungs and immune system, and Schisandra is the perfect ally for the season. Read more »

The change to Fall is one of my favorites, but it does bring challenges to the immune system and adrenals. I like to mix up some of this tonic to give myself a leg up for the seasonal change. This is a fantastic recipe because it combines therapies for immunity, stress, and energy into one […] Read more »

In Ayurveda, Vata dosha is characterized as “dry, light, mobile, subtle, rough, hard, changeable, and clear.” Sounds a lot like Fall, doesn’t it? The leaves dry out and a cool, dry wind blows them away, the days become colder and shorter, the air is more subtle and changeable. In Ayurveda, Fall is the Vata time […] Read more »

Itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, sore throat, headache, coughing, sneezing: seasonal allergies can be a misery. For those who are particularly sensitive, allergy symptoms can include digestive upset and fatigue as well as the cold-like symptoms we easily recognize. It’s been another wet summer in Maryland, which means that all the plants are growing like […] Read more »

Autumn Lessons—The Need For Rest We have lots of traditions about Autumn: a new school year, visiting fall foliage, pumpkins, honoring our ancestors and hometowns, football games, celebrating a good harvest, marking the beginning of the holiday season, and many more. All these are wonderful things, and beloved traditions, but there is another aspect […] Read more »